Gov. Lepage approves rule to ban food stamps for lottery winners

AUGUSTA, Maine (NEWS CENTER) -- Governor LePage has approved a rule created by the Department of Health and Human Services to ban winners of significant lottery and gambling prizes from getting food stamp benefits.

The ban would apply to those who win $5,000 in one calendar month. If the prize remains with the individual, it will continue to count as an asset that could disqualify someone from welfare because of the asset limit recently adopted by the LePage administration. Governor LePage approved the rule Tuesday.

“This rule is consistent with recent Congressional reforms regarding the food stamp program and lottery winnings designed to ensure that this tax-payer funded benefit is appropriately supporting those who truly need the welfare assistance,” said DHHS Commissioner Mary Mayhew. “Just like when we limited the amount of assets someone could have while receiving welfare benefits, this change ensures individuals are not using the program when they don’t need it. It allows taxpayers to have faith in the system and know their tax dollars are going where they are most needed.”

In 2015, the Department found that since 2010, there were 4,865 winning tickets of $1,000 or more that were cashed in by 3,685 individuals who were receiving SNAP, TANF or MaineCare (or some combination of those benefits) at the time that they won. The winners received more than $22 million in prizes while open on welfare programs.

“In no way, shape or form should taxpayers be asked to foot the bill for someone who is gambling and winning huge amounts of money,” said Commissioner Mayhew. “Welfare benefits shouldn’t be used for gambling or lottery, and someone who beats the long odds and ‘wins big’ shouldn’t continue receiving assistance while he or she has that money. Along with our recent ban on using welfare benefits to to purchase lottery tickets, this rule makes sure that taxpayers aren’t subsidizing gambling or giving benefits to those who have other means.”

The LePage administration passed a law barring people from spending welfare money on lottery tickets, along with other items like tobacco, liquor and bail. In January, the Department also introduced asset testing for certain SNAP benefits. This requires those applying or re-applying for SNAP benefits to disclose their assets, and if those assets exceed $5,000 in value, some applicants will be ineligible for benefits. Imposing an asset limit reinstated a provision of federal law that Maine has waived in recent years.

Assets do not include equity in a home or a household's primary vehicle. Assets do include the balance of bank accounts, snowmobiles, boats, motorcycles, jet skis, all-terrain vehicles, recreational vehicles, campers and other valuables.